U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander today welcomed word that the U.S. Department of the Interior will review Gov. Phil Bredesen’s petition to ban surface mining along some state-owned or -managed ridgetops in the Northern Cumberland Plateau.
U.S. Department of Interior Ken Salazar announced the review earlier.
“I am pleased with Secretary Salazar’s prompt and favorable decision on Governor Bredesen’s petition,” said Alexander, R-Tenn., who supports Bredesen’s effort and met with Salazar last week.
“The goal here is to protect Upper Cumberland ridgetops in which Tennessee taxpayers already own an interest,” Alexander said in a news release.
“Doing so will allow more opportunities for outdoor recreation, attract job-creating tourist dollars, and still allow for mining in appropriate ways and places.”